InFocus ScreenPlay 61md10

Only 7 inches deep, which is slim for a rear-projection TV. Big 61-inch widescreen. Good performance on visual inspection tests. Internet connectivity with an auto-update feature for its software/firmware. Very good on-screen display controls.

At only 7 inches deep, the InFocus 61md10 delivers a very big picture with an equally hefty price tag. Its performance and features make it an interesting HDTV, but other equal-size RPTVs are available for less.

Many buyers turn away from rear-projection TVs (RPTVs) in favor of plasma and LCD models because, at 17 to 22 inches deep, RPTVs are unfashionably bulky. But projector-maker InFocus has devised a two-bounce reflection and optical system that allows the chassis of the 61-inch InFocus ScreenPlay 61md10 to be just 7 inches deep, making for an RPTV than can even be wall-mounted. We have some concerns about image quality; however, given that a similar-size true flat-panel model will cost you $8,000 or more, you do get a lot of screen for the price.

The 61md10 offers some unusual connectivity for an HDTV, including a CableCARD slot and a RJ-45 jack for the Internet. With CableCARD, consumers don't need to rent set-top boxes from their cable company; the standard interface means that advanced boxes can be purchased from retail outlets. The 61md10 also has two DTV Link (FireWire) jacks, allowing it to connect with home-theater receivers that use that I/O method. It also has a native HDMI port to interface directly with cable and satellite boxes that use that standard. Another nice touch is the addition of an optical S/PDIF output that can pass through the digital audio stream from the incoming HDMI connection to your home-theater receiver. This is particularly useful since only recent, high-end home-theater receivers can do HDMI switching.

InFocus's on-screen display (OSD) controls are easy to use and well laid-out. Nearly all adjustments have self-explanatory names, and you can drive the OSD controls using the remote control or an optional keyboard. The keyboard also lets you use the 61md10's integrated Web browser (Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, running on embedded Microsoft Windows CE), which works but is sluggish compared with a typical PC.

On our objective tests, the 61md10's performance was good, though we've seen better measured performance from other RPTVs. The average contrast ratio was 149:1, which is low among tested RPTVs. Because our test uses an ANSI checkerboard test pattern, black levels get pushed up, owing to light scatter inside the RPTV's cabinet. Despite numerous adjustments, the 61md10's color temperature was consistent at 6,000K, but below our desired target of 6,500K.

In subjective viewing, HDTV content looked generally sharp on the 61md10, although black levels suffered noticeably with overhead lighting. It handled action sequences well, with no visible image breakup, and we caught the last few minutes of an HD broadcast of Pirates of the Caribbean, which contains many dark scenes. Detail in these scenes was good, but not great, and some dark details were displayed as pure black.

Finally, we ran our test scenes from Gladiator and The Fifth Element, and we found similar performance to that of HDTV content. We did run into an issue with the unit's scaler, where its Cinerama effect stretched images only at the side on our letterbox test material. In one scene in Gladiator, it was particularly noticeable: As the camera panned the stadium, squares were momentarily stretched into rectangles before they moved off-screen. And setting the unit to detect the aspect ratio automatically didn't help. This indicates a potential issue with anamorphic DVDs. We switched over to the Stretch option, which didn't exhibit this problem, but then the image was slightly stretched vertically.

At $6,999 (list), the 61md10 is not cheap. That said, a 61-inch plasma HDTV will set you back at least $8,000, so this unit is still a pretty good deal. Just know that bulkier 61-inch DLP rear-projection HDTVs are available for under $4,000, with some offering better picture quality.

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